December 2013 Monthly Update

December Monthly Update for Campus

Dashboard UpdatesThe University’s dashboard of key indicators has been updated as of November 1 in several metrics that are measured quarterly. The cells in the dashboard with blue background offer new information. http://www.stlawu.edu/ir/dashboard (Note that the dashboard is a secure site for on-campus viewing.)

Gunnison Restoration projectGunnison Memorial Chapel has been thoroughly inspected in all ways, basement to bell tower, surface to infrastructure, by experts in every field. Representatives from the University, the general contractor (Northland), the architect/engineer (Beardsley) and the insurance adjustor (Claims Solutions) meet weekly for status review. Fifteen separate projects have been identified, bids for all have been released and to date, 12 subcontractors have been identified with cost estimates secured. The remaining bids should be completed by early January. Once the scope of work has been agreed upon in early 2014, we will finalize the sequence and calendar of projects. Campus leaders are identifying alternative sites for Gunnison events through the fall of 2014 to make sure we have the time to complete the restoration work to the quality we expect. We do not expect Gunnison to be available for events for up to a year.

Residence Hall UpdateContractors are on schedule with this project, having now installed all the windows. They are ready to complete the stone masonry work before the end of 2013. Temporary heating will allow workers to continue with interior and infrastructure projects through the winter. We expect to be ready for occupancy by August 2014.

Middle States ReaccreditationThe Middle States Commission on Higher Education has accepted the University’s Periodic Review Report (PRR), submitted earlier this year thanks to the excellent work of the Institutional Strategy and Assessment Committee ; Middle States has reaffirmed the University’s accreditation. St. Lawrence’s decennial review schedule is at the mid-point in 2013 and a PRR is a routine process; the next reaccreditation review will be due in 2018.

Standard & Poor’s Reaffirms University’s Bond RatingsStandard & Poor's Ratings Services renewed the St. Lawrence University credit rating of 'A' and stable outlook. The report was released December 14. It noted the agency’s belief in St. Lawrence's growing enrollment coupled with stable demand, prudent management team, and good financial resources for the rating category. The University’s Strategic Map, created in a collaborative process and guiding new initiatives, received special commendation by the agency.

AdmissionsAdmissions reports that November represented the sixth straight month of increases in prospective student visits to the University. Despite the ongoing challenges students and schools are having with submitting the new Common Application, we are only three Early Decision (ED) applications behind last year and have admitted more ED students - due to their strength - and have received more deposits than last year at this time.

AdvancementAs of December 6, cash gifts to the University totaled $5.1 million, up $2.4 million over last year at this time. This increase can be partially attributed to recent gifts for the residence hall and two significant bequests. The St. Lawrence Fund is at nearly $1.5 million in cash gifts, up $343,000 over last year at this time. Fundraising for the new residence hall remains our top capital priority, with more than $6.4 million in commitments raised to date.

The annual 2012-2013 Report of Appreciation is now online and features stories demonstrating the impact of gifts, comprehensive donor lists, class giving summaries, recognition of committed volunteers and information about our named annual and endowed funds. Visit http://www.stlawu.edu/report-appreciation-2013 and use the password 1856 to access it.

Bill and Lynn Fox attended the annual Westchester-Fairfield event at the Round Hill Club with over 175 in attendance; Women’s Initiative events are being planned in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Rochester, and Washington, DC, for the winter and spring; and our Online Laurentian Lecture Series continues with the most recent led by Matt Carotenuto on “Deconstructing ‘Tribe’ and the Politics of Ethnicity in Kenya.” Recordings of past lectures can be found at http://alumni.stlawu.edu/laurentianlectures. Lectures for the early spring will be led by Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead, John Collins and Ana Estevez.

As we continue to expand and measure Laurentian engagement, we encourage faculty and staff to use the online faculty/staff engagement forms to document the types of interactions you are having with alumni and to take advantage of your University Advancement liaison as a resource. Visit https://alumni.stlawu.edu/fac-staff_engagement to share information.

Education Program ReaccreditationThe graduate Educational Leadership program at St. Lawrence University has been awarded Teacher Education Accreditation Council accreditation by the Inquiry Brief Commission of Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, from November 2013 to November 2020.

Wellness SurveyThank you to the 200+ faculty and staff who responded to the recent Employee Wellness Survey. The Wellness Committee is analyzing your feedback and will begin program planning to respond to your interests.

AthleticsSt. Lawrence University has been selected as the host institution the winter and spring of 2015 for both Skiing and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The national title for Division I, II and III alpine and Nordic skiing will be decided in Lake Placid, NY, in conjunction with the Olympic Center for the first time since 1982. Meanwhile, the Division III outdoor track and field championships will return to Canton, NY, for the first time since 2003. More information regarding the championships will be posted as it becomes available.